Portable printer

ABSTRACT

Devices, systems and methods for a portable printer are provided. Personnel utilize features of the printer to manage products, store information on labels, and aid in shipping. A low battery shut-off feature shuts down the printer at a set battery power percentage; a battery charge control feature controls battery charging to stay within a set range of state of charge values to ensure longer battery life; a ribbon cartridge insertion feature allows for easy replacement of the ribbon cartridge; ribbon cartridge locating features lock the ribbon cartridge into place for printing; a ribbon guiding feature adjusts the ribbon during printing to reduce wrinkles; an RFID coupler mounting feature mounts and shields an RFID coupler inside the printer; a media guide locking feature fixes the media position to prevent misalignment; and a media alignment feature allows the user to properly align the media with the printhead during installation.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/073,815, entitled “Portable Printer,” filed on Jun.19, 2008, and is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/488,138,entitled “Portable Printer with Ribbon Cartridge Retaining Feature”filed on Jun. 19, 2009, now issued as ______ the contents of which areincorporated herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

In some applications, it is beneficial to provide a portable printer.For example, portable printers may be beneficial for retail stores.These stores often provide all incoming goods with labels for inventorypurposes. It is often easier to relocate a printer than the merchandise.In addition to portability, the stores often desire that the printer beable to produce quality prints and be acquired at an affordable price.Meeting all of these requirements presents several obstacles thatprinter manufacturers may have to overcome in order to produce amarketable product. Stores may also be interested in labeling shelves orinventory locations with prices or customer information, or possiblymore permanent information, such as location. Some of those shelves andinventory locations may be outside, inside a cooler, or near a window orspecial lighting source. These conditions create additional requirementsfor the printer and the printed output that manufacturers must overcome.

Beyond stores, other labeling and tracking applications may also requirea portable printer. Labeling large items, such as oil field equipment,furniture, or utility fixtures is often best done without moving theitem to be labeled. Military supplies, and their containers, are oftenlabeled at remote locations or while in transit. Materials that arehazardous, explosive, or fragile are often labeled without being moved.Items delivered by truck, rail, air, sea container, and even bicycle mayneed to be labeled in the field. These applications require highquality, durable labels, tags, wristbands, or receipts from a portableprinter. Depending on the application, the diverse user of the printermay be a young retail associate, a U.S. Marine, or an oil field worker.The printer could be used in a refrigerated warehouse, an airconditioned department store, an urban delivery route, or a desert warzone. This variety of uses, users, and locations also create additionalrequirements for the printer and the printed output.

Applicant has identified a number of deficiencies and problemsassociated with the manufacture, operation, and use of portableprinters. Through applied effort, ingenuity, and innovation, Applicanthas solved many of these identified problems by developing a solutionthat is embodied by the present invention, which is described in detailbelow.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Systems and methods are therefore provided for printing indicia ontomedia and encoding one or more RFID tags associated with the media. Inan exemplary embodiment, the printer comprises a housing defining aribbon receiving area configured to receive a ribbon cartridge. Theprinter further comprises a ribbon cover configured to move between aclosed ribbon position and an opened ribbon position, and a ribboncartridge retaining feature configured to engage at least part of theribbon cartridge. The ribbon cartridge retaining feature is configuredto move the ribbon cartridge to an installed position when the ribboncover is moved to the closed ribbon position, and to move the ribboncartridge to an accessible position when the ribbon cover is moved tothe opened ribbon position.

In some embodiments, the ribbon cartridge retaining feature comprises alifting portion configured to support at least a part of the ribboncartridge, and a securing portion configured to maintain the ribboncartridge in the installed position when the ribbon cartridge retainingfeature is in the operational position. The lifting portion and thesecuring portion may generally define a U-shape. In addition, thelifting portion may be configured to at least partially move the ribboncartridge between the installed position and the accessible position asthe ribbon cartridge retaining feature is moved between the operationalposition and the retrieval position. The securing portion may comprisecontact areas configured to engage the ribbon cartridge to secure theribbon cartridge in the installed position when the ribbon cartridgeretaining feature is in the operational position, and the contact areasmay comprise ridges.

The housing of the printer may define a media receiving area configuredto receive a supply of media, and the printer may further comprise amedia cover configured to move between a closed media position and anopened media position. The media cover may comprise an electromagneticshield, and the media cover may be configured such that when the mediacover is in the closed media position, the electromagnetic shield ispositioned between the media receiving area and the ribbon receivingarea. In some cases, the media cover may be blocked from moving to theclosed media position when the ribbon cartridge retaining feature is inthe retrieval position.

In some embodiments, the printer may further comprise a linkageconnecting the ribbon cover to the ribbon cartridge retaining feature.Movement of the ribbon cover from the closed ribbon position to theopened ribbon position may be transmitted through the linkage to movethe ribbon cartridge retaining feature from the operational position tothe retrieval position.

The printer may also include a ribbon cover button configured tofacilitate movement of the ribbon cover from the closed ribbon positionto the opened ribbon position, and a media cover button configured tofacilitate movement of the media cover from the closed media position tothe opened media position. The media cover button may be locatedgenerally proximate the ribbon cover button. In some cases, the ribboncover button may only be accessible by a user when the media cover is inthe opened media position.

The linkage may comprise a sliding component defining a first end and asecond end, and a rotating component defining a first leg and a secondleg. The first end of the sliding component may be hingedly connected tothe ribbon cover, and the second end of the sliding component may beslidingly engaged with the first leg of the rotating component. Thesecond leg of the rotating component may further comprise a slotconfigured to receive an extension defined by the ribbon cartridgeretaining feature, such that movement of the ribbon cover between theclosed ribbon position and the opened ribbon position slides the secondend of the sliding component along the first leg of the rotatingcomponent and rotates the rotating component with respect to thehousing, thereby moving the ribbon cartridge retaining feature betweenthe operational position and the retrieval position, respectively, viathe extension. The ribbon cover and the ribbon cartridge retainingfeature are configured to move substantially simultaneously.

In other embodiments, a printing mechanism is provided comprising aprinthead, a platen configured to oppose the printhead during printingoperations, and a printhead support configured to receive the printhead,wherein the printhead support defines a pocket configured to receive anRFID coupler. The printing mechanism may further comprise a ribboncartridge comprising a supply spool and a take-up spool, where theribbon extends between the supply spool and the take-up spool, and wherethe printhead support is positioned between the supply spool and thetake-up spool. The printhead support may also define a bracket portionconfigured to receive the ribbon guide.

In some cases, the platen may also be positioned on a media cover thatis configured to move between an opened media position and a closedmedia position such that the platen is configured to operationallyengage the printhead when the media cover is in the closed mediaposition.

In still other embodiments, the printer comprises a housing defining aribbon receiving area, and a printhead support extending from thehousing for receiving a printhead. The ribbon receiving area may beconfigured to receive a ribbon cartridge comprising a cartridge framestructured to support a supply spool, a take-up spool, and a ribbonextending between the supply spool and the take-up spool, and theprinthead support may define first and second channels disposed onopposite sides of the printhead, where each of the first and secondchannels is structured to receive at least part of the cartridge frame.In some cases, the printhead may be positioned between the supply spooland the take-up spool.

The ribbon cartridge in some cases is movable between an installedposition during printing operations and an accessible position tofacilitate replacement. The ribbon cartridge may define a firstorientation relative to the printhead support when disposed in theinstalled position and a second orientation relative to the printheadsupport when disposed in the accessible position. Furthermore, thecartridge frame of the ribbon cartridge may be substantially alignedwith a top surface of the printhead support when the ribbon cartridge isdisposed in the installed position, and the cartridge frame of theribbon cartridge may extend at least partially beyond the top surface ofthe printhead support when the ribbon cartridge is disposed in theaccessible position.

In addition, the cartridge frame of the ribbon cartridge may definegripping portions, wherein the gripping portions are disposed below atop surface of the printhead support when the ribbon cartridge isdisposed in the installed position, and wherein the gripping portionsare disposed above the top surface of the printhead support when theribbon cartridge is disposed in the accessible position.

The printer may further comprise a ribbon cartridge retaining featuremovable between an operational position and a retrieval position. Theribbon cartridge retaining feature may secure the ribbon cartridge inthe installed position when disposed in the operational position, andthe ribbon cartridge retaining feature may support the ribbon cartridgein the accessible position when disposed in the retrieval position. Theribbon cartridge retaining feature may define a securing portionconfigured to engage and secure the ribbon cartridge in the installedposition when the ribbon cartridge retaining feature is disposed in theoperational position, and the ribbon cartridge retaining feature maydefine a lifting portion configured to lift and support the ribboncartridge in the accessible position when the ribbon cartridge retainingfeature is disposed in the retrieval position.

In still other embodiments, a printer is provided that is adapted toprint to a media having opposite ends, where the media is adapted totransition from a laterally strong condition to a laterally weakcondition. The printer may comprise a housing defining a media receivingarea configured to receive the media, two media support arms extendingfrom the housing proximate the media receiving area for engagingopposite ends of the media, and a media cover configured to move betweena closed position and an open position, the media cover comprising asecond locking element. At least one of the media support arms may bebiased to slidably translate along the housing to provide a holdingforce to opposite sides of the media, and the at least one of the mediasupport arm may define a first locking element. The first lockingelement of the at least one of the media support arms may be configuredto engage the second locking element of the media cover when the mediacover is in the closed position.

The first locking element may be movable within the media support armand may be biased towards engagement with the second locking element. Inaddition, the first locking element may include a spring configured tomove the first locking element into engagement with the second lockingelement when the media cover is closed, thereby stabilizing the at leastone of the media support arms during printing operations. In some cases,the second locking element may be configured to slope towards a centerof the second locking element.

In still other embodiments, a printer is provided that comprises aribbon cover configured to move between an opened ribbon position forproviding access to the ribbon supply and a closed ribbon position, anda media cover configured to move between an opened media position forproviding access to a media supply and a closed media position. One ofthe ribbon cover and the media cover may comprise a slidable openingmechanism.

In some cases, the printer defines a top surface, a front surface, and abottom surface. The ribbon cover and the media cover may each form atleast part of the front surface, and the slidable opening mechanism maybe biased upwardly along a slide direction generally away from thebottom surface. The slidable opening mechanism may be configured toretain the respective cover in the respective opened position.

Furthermore, the other of the ribbon cover and the media cover maycomprise a clamshell opening mechanism. The printer further comprises afirst button for triggering the clamshell opening mechanism and/or asecond button for triggering the slidable opening mechanism, wherein thesecond button is positioned generally adjacent to the first button. Theprinter may further comprise a seam defined between the ribbon cover andthe media cover, wherein the first button and the second button aregenerally positioned proximate the seam.

In addition, the printer may define a top surface, a front surface, anda bottom surface, and the ribbon cover and the media cover may each format least part of the front surface. The slidable opening mechanism maybe biased upwardly along a slide direction generally away from thebottom surface, and the clamshell opening mechanism may be structured topivot downwardly generally away from the top surface. Furthermore, theribbon cover may comprise the slidable opening mechanism, and the mediacover may comprise the clamshell opening mechanism.

In still other embodiments, a ribbon cartridge is provided that includesa supply spool, a take-up spool, and a cartridge frame. The cartridgeframe comprises a first portion structured to support the supply spooland a second portion structured to support the take-up spool. Aretrieval assist angle may be defined between the first portion and thesecond portion, and a gripping portion may be defined proximate theretrieval assist angle. The gripping portion may include ridges definedin the cartridge frame that facilitate grasping of the ribbon cartridgeby a user. In addition, the ribbon cartridge may be adapted to bereceived in a printer, such that the gripping portion is exposed forgrasping by a user when the ribbon cartridge is disposed in anaccessible position, and not exposed for grasping by the user when theribbon cartridge is disposed in an installed position. In some cases,the take-up spool may define an RFID tag configured to hold informationregarding the ribbon cartridge.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will nowbe made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn toscale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a printer according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the printer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of the printer of FIG. 1 with a mediacover in the opened media position and a ribbon cover in the closedribbon position;

FIG. 4 shows the printer of FIG. 1 with the media cover in the openedmedia position and the ribbon cover in the opened ribbon position;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional representation of a printing mechanism ofthe printer of FIG. 1, showing the ribbon and media paths duringprinting, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of an apparatus for load controlaccording to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart according to a method for load control accordingto an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a diagram representing a relationship between a state ofcharge value, a state of charge low threshold, a state of charge highthreshold, and a charge control signal according to an exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of an apparatus for battery chargecontrol according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart according to a method for battery charge controlaccording to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 11 shows a partial view of the printer of FIG. 1 with the ribboncover in a closed ribbon position;

FIG. 12 shows a partial view of the printer of FIG. 1 with the ribboncover in an opened ribbon position;

FIG. 13 illustrates a partial view of a printer housing, with a ribboncartridge removed from the printer housing, according to an exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 14 shows a portion of the printer housing of FIG. 13 with a firstlocating feature and a portion of the ribbon cartridge having a firstcorresponding locating feature;

FIG. 15 shows the first locating feature of FIG. 14 of the printerhousing engaged with the first corresponding locating feature of theribbon cartridge;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the printer with theribbon cartridge received into the printer housing of FIG. 13;

FIG. 16A is a detail view of the inside surface of the securing portionof the ribbon cartridge retaining feature of FIG. 16;

FIG. 17 shows the media cover of the printer of FIG. 1 engaged with aribbon cartridge according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a side view of the ribbon cartridge of FIGS. 13-17 showingthe forces exerted by the locating features of the printer;

FIG. 19 shows a ribbon guide of a printer according to an exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 20 shows the top view of the ribbon guide of FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional representation of the printer of FIG. 1,showing shielding of an RFID coupler during printing, according to anexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 22 illustrates the mounting of the RFID coupler of FIG. 21 in theprinter according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 23 illustrates a locking element connecting to both a media supportarm and the media cover according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 24 shows the locking element of FIG. 23 connected to the mediacover;

FIG. 25 shows the media support arms of FIG. 23 engaged with a supply ofmedia;

FIG. 26 is a top view of a printer including alignment marks accordingto one embodiment;

FIG. 27 shows a printer including an alignment feature according toanother embodiment;

FIG. 28 is a top view of a portion of a printer including an alignmentfeature according to another embodiment;

FIG. 29 is a top view of a portion of a printer including an alignmentfeature according to another embodiment; and

FIG. 30 shows a printer including an alignment feature according toanother embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present inventions now will be described more fullyhereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some,but not all embodiments of the inventions are shown. Indeed, embodimentsof these inventions may be embodied in many different forms and shouldnot be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather,these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfyapplicable legal requirements. Like reference numerals refer to likeelements throughout. Further, the term “exemplary” as used herein isdefined to indicate an example, and should not be construed to indicatea qualitative assessment.

The devices, systems, and methods of the present invention may be usedby manufacturers and distributors for printing needs, such as printingshipping labels or product label tags. The devices, systems, and methodsdescribed provide an ability to quickly and easily manage supplies andproducts, store information on product labels, and aid in productshipping. The devices, systems, and methods may be stand aloneapplications, or they may communicate with other devices to helpfacilitate management of products or supplies.

One such application is that of a printer 10, as seen in FIG. 1. For thepurposes of explanation, the printer 10 will be described in terms of aportable thermal transfer printer, although it is understood that thedevices, systems, and methods of embodiments of the present inventionmay be used for any printer or device with similar components, includingdirect thermal printers. The printer 10 is typically used for encodingand reading RFID tags, as well as printing labels.

An embodiment of the printer 10 may be useful in a fast-paced movingenvironment due to its portability. The relatively small, lightweightdesign of the printer 10 allows the printer to be easily picked up andcarried. The printer 10 may define one or more attachment openings 90,as seen in FIG. 2. The attachment openings 90 are configured to engage alatching mechanism for connection to and/or the support of a cradle orother device or support. To further allow for portability, the printer10 may include one or more batteries, e.g., a smart battery 95, as apower source. In this way, the printer 10 may be quickly moved toconvenient locations without regard for the location of power outlets.In some cases, the battery may be external to the printer, as in thecase when a separate battery is provided on a cart, or when the batteryin a vehicle is used to provide power for the printer.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the printer 10 may include a ribbon cover 20and a media cover 30. According to the illustrated embodiment, the mediacover 30 can be opened using the media cover button 35. As seen in FIG.3, the media cover 30 encloses a media receiving area 40, such as acavity, which stores media 45, such as shipping labels. The media 45 canbe inserted into the media support arms 80 and locked into place withthe locking element 85 when the media cover 30 is closed. The ribboncover 20 can be opened by pushing the ribbon cover button 25. The ribboncover 20 encloses the ribbon receiving area 50, which stores the ribboncartridge 52, as shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 4 also shows that the printer 10 may include one or more input dataports for importing data from or exporting data to an external source.Data imported could include printing commands, status requests, e-mail,printer settings, executable computer code, definitions for formattingdata, fonts, graphics, passwords, or maintenance data. The data could beprovided from a data storage medium, such as a computer, web site,portable data terminal, mobile phone, bar code reader, RFID reader,weigh scale, truck radio, or even another printer. Communication couldbe via a Universal Serial Bus (USB), Ethernet stack, wireless radio, orthe like. These data ports can be located under the data port cover 100and can allow for data to be input to communicate with the printer 10during typical operation to help facilitate tasks like storinginformation or printing certain labels. Data could also be exported fromthese ports to help with product information storing and shipmenttracking. Data exported could include the response to status requests,e-mail, network messages, printer status or settings, stored customerdata, passwords, maintenance data, printer alert conditions, informationread from RFID tags on the ribbon or supplies, battery status, externalbattery conditions, or information derived from sensors within theprinter such as power conditions, supply measurements, temperature, orprinthead conditions.

Various embodiments of the printer 10 may also utilize wired and/orwireless communications techniques and/or protocols for communicationswith, and control of, the printer 10 via the data ports described above.These communications techniques and/or protocols may allow for tetheredand/or untethered operation of the printer 10. In this regard, theprinter may include a communications interface that may be controlled byvarious means, including one or more processors. The one or moreprocessors may be software and/or hardware configured and may controlvarious communications hardware that may be used to implementcommunications with a remote device (e.g., a host device). Theprocessor(s) may be configured to communicate using various wired andwireless communications techniques and/or protocols including serial andparallel communications and printing protocols, USB techniques,transmission control protocol/internet protocol (TCP/IP), radiofrequency (RF), infrared (IrDA), or any of a number of differentwireless networking techniques, including WLAN techniques such as, IEEE802.11 (e.g., 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, etc.), worldinteroperability for microwave access (WiMAX) techniques such as IEEE802.16, and/or wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN) techniques such asIEEE 802.15, Bluetooth (BT), ultra wideband (UWB) and/or the like. Theprinter 10 may implement these and other communications techniquesand/or protocols directly with a host device in a point-to-point manner,or indirectly through an intermediate device such as an access point orother network entity. Various host devices that may be used tocommunicate with and/or control the operation of printer 10 may includecomputers, mobile computers, cameras, scales, global positioning system(GPS) devices, radios, mobile terminals, media players, or the like.

As seen in FIG. 5, when the printer 10 is closed and in typicaloperation, the media 45 passes over an RFID coupler 60 for encoding andreading of an RFID tag that may be encoded in the media 45. When aribbon 55 is used (such as in thermal transfer printing), the media 45then contacts the ribbon 55 and the platen roller 75 for the printing ofthe label, as illustrated in FIG. 5. In printing applications where noribbon is used (such as in direct thermal printing), the media wouldcontact the thermal printhead 70 and the platen roller 75. Referringagain to FIG. 1, once the label has been printed, the media exits theprinter via the media exit slot 105. In embodiments, the printer 10 mayinclude an optional peeler that functions to separate the printed media(e.g., the printed label) from a liner. In these cases, the peeled labelmay be discharged from the printer via the media exit slot 105, and theliner may be separately discharged via the liner exit slot 110.

The printer 10 can include many different features that may combine tohelp meet various printing needs. Several of the features that may beincluded are described below with reference to the figures.

Load Control Feature

FIG. 6 depicts an apparatus 120 for load control according to anexemplary embodiment. The apparatus 120 and, in particular, theprocessor 125 and the memory device 126, may be configured to performload control as described below with respect to FIGS. 6 and 7. Theapparatus 120 may be embodied as, or utilized in combination with, anybattery operated electronic device, such as a printer (e.g., the printer10), computer, portable data terminal, scanner, RFID reader, portabledevice (e.g., music player, mobile telephone, digital camera, globalpositioning system (GPS) device), external battery (e.g., cart battery,forklift, vehicle), or the like. The apparatus 120 may include, control,and/or be in communication with a memory device 126, a processor 125, asmart battery 95, a load controller 130, and a load 135.

The memory device 126 may include, for example, volatile and/ornon-volatile memory. The memory device 126 may be configured to storeinformation, data, applications, instructions, or the like for enablingthe apparatus to carry out various functions in accordance withexemplary embodiments. For example, the memory device 126 could beconfigured to buffer input data for processing by the processor 125.Additionally or alternatively, the memory device 126 may be configuredto store instructions for execution by the processor 125. In some cases,the memory device 126 may be external to the load control apparatus 120,such as when the memory device 126 resides on a computer incommunication with the apparatus 120.

The processor 125 may be embodied in a number of different ways. Forexample, the processor 125 may be embodied as a microprocessor, acoprocessor, a controller, or various other processing means or elementsincluding integrated circuits such as, for example, an ASIC (applicationspecific integrated circuit) or FPGA (field programmable gate array). Inan exemplary embodiment, the processor 125 may be configured to executeinstructions stored in the memory device 126 or otherwise accessible tothe processor 125.

The load controller 130 may be any type of controllable switching devicethat may be used to interrupt and reestablish the flow of current fromthe smart battery 95 to the load 135. In this regard, the loadcontroller 130 may be a switching relay, a transistor, a controllableswitch, or the like. The load controller 130 may include an input thatmay receive a control signal and in response generate an open or closedcircuit condition.

Further, the load 135 of the apparatus 120 may be any type of electricalload. In this regard the electrical load may be a printer, a printhead,an RFID encoder, a computer, a portable device (e.g., a music player, amobile telephone, a digital camera, a global positioning system (GPS)device), or the like, as described above. The load 135 in FIG. 6 ispowered by the smart battery 95.

The smart battery 95 may be a battery equipped with specialized hardwareand/or software for monitoring a battery and transmitting informationregarding the battery. In this regard, the smart battery 95 may includea battery 140 and a state of charge generator 145. The battery 140 maybe any rechargeable, or non-rechargeable, power source and may includeany type and number of battery cells. In some embodiments, the batterycells of the battery 140 may be lithium-ion, lithium-cobalt,lithium-polymer, nickel cadmium, nickel metal hydride, or the like.Similar non-battery rechargeable, or non-rechargeable, power sources mayinclude fuel cells, capacitors, pressurized air tanks, radioactive decaydevices, or microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) vibration cells. Insome exemplary embodiments, the smart battery 140 may be removable fromapparatus 120 and replaceable.

The state of charge generator 145 may be any electronic device that maybe configured to monitor the battery 140 to determine the state ofcharge of the battery 140 and transmit communications with respect tothe state of charge. In this regard, the state of charge of a batterymay be an indication and/or prediction of the remaining batterycapacity. Unlike voltage levels associated with a battery, a state ofcharge value for a battery need not respond to, or indicate, suddenchanges in load (e.g., powering up a printer, powering up a thermalprinthead in preparation for printing on a media, or the like). In thisregard, the state of charge value may be substantially immune to suddenchanges in load, unlike voltages, which may experience significanttransient fluctuations when load is introduced or removed from acircuit.

In some embodiments, the state of charge value may provide arepresentation of a percentage of the maximum capacity of a fullycharged battery. For example, a fully charged battery may have a stateof charge value representing 100%. Similarly, a battery that is halfcharged, may have a state of charge value representing 50%. In thisregard, over the life of a battery, the power output of the battery maydegrade. As such, in some exemplary embodiments, the state of chargevalue may be determined relative to a fully charged battery experiencinga degraded power output. Additionally, in some exemplary embodiments,the state of charge value need not be determined relative to a fullycharged battery, but rather a predetermined set point. As a result, inthese embodiments, the state of charge value may represent a percentageabove 100% or below 0%. Additionally, in some exemplary embodiments,information about the age of a battery, date of manufacture,manufacturing lot, design, part number, maintenance history, saleshistory, or usage history of the battery may also be used in determiningthe state of charge or its suitability for operation under certainconditions.

In this regard, the state of charge generator 145 may be configured toreceive a request for a state of charge value and return (i. e.,transmit) the state of charge value to the requesting entity (e.g., theprocessor 125) or another entity. Further, in some exemplaryembodiments, the state of charge generator 145 may be configured totransmit a state of charge value at a regular interval (i.e., based on atimer). In some exemplary embodiments, the state of charger generator145 may be configured to transmit a state of charge value at irregularintervals, such as, for example when the state of charge reaches one ormore predetermined break points (e.g., 75%, 50%, 25%, 10%, 5%, or thelike). Transmission of a state of charge value may be performed byproviding the information in an analog signal or in a digital signal,such as a data packet.

In some exemplary embodiments, the processor 125 of the apparatus 120may be configured to provide for transmission of a request to the smartbattery 95 and, in turn, the state of charge generator 145. The requestmay be any type of communication that causes the state of chargegenerator to respond by providing a representation of a state of chargevalue to the processor 125. In some exemplary embodiments, the processormay be configured to provide for transmission of a request, where therequest is a smart battery message as described in Smart Battery DataSpecifications, such as, Smart Battery Data Specification, Rev. 1.1,Dec. 11, 1998, which is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety. The smart battery message may be a RelativeStateOfCharge()message or an AbsoluteStateOfCharge( )message.

In some embodiments, the smart battery 95 may be configured to transmit,receive, and or store various types of data regarding the state of thebattery. Such data may include the number of cycles that the battery hasexperienced, the date the battery was first used, the theoreticalcapacity of a new battery, the theoretical voltage of a new battery, thepredicted battery capacity when the battery is fully charged, therelative health of the battery (e.g., “good,” “replace,” or “poor”)based on the number of times the battery has cycled, the date thebattery was manufactured, the predicted remaining battery capacity, theserial number of the battery, and/or the internal temperature of thebattery.

The processor 125 may also be configured to receive a representation ofthe state of charge. The processor 125 may receive the representation ofthe state of charge from the state of charge generator 145 based on thestate of charge generator's monitoring of the battery 140. In thisregard, the representation of the state of charge may be received as ananalog or digital signal. In some exemplary embodiments, therepresentation of the state of charge may be received as a data packet.The representation of the state of charge value may be a converted,encoded, translated, etc. version of the state of charge value. In someexemplary embodiments, receiving the representation of the state ofcharge value may also include converting, decoding, translating, etc.the representation of the state of charge value into the state of chargevalue.

The processor 125 may be further configured to compare the state ofcharge value with a state of charge load control threshold. The state ofcharge load control threshold may be a predetermined value that may becompared to the state of charge value. In some exemplary embodiments,the state of charge load control threshold may be set at a batterycapacity where power from the battery 140 to the load 135 may beinterrupted. For example, the state of charge load control threshold maybe set at 5%, and, as a result, when the state of charge value reachesor falls below 5%, actions may be implemented to interrupt power fromthe battery to the load, so as not to completely discharge the battery.The state of charge load control threshold may be stored in, forexample, the memory device 126, and the processor 125 may be configuredto retrieve the state of charge load control threshold from the memorydevice 126 for comparison.

In some exemplary embodiments, the state of charge value may be averagedwith one or more previously received state of charge values to determinean average state of charge value. In this regard, the average state ofcharge value may be used in the comparison with the state of charge loadcontrol threshold. As such, the processor 125 may be configured toreceive and store a plurality of state of charge values. The pluralityof state of charge values may be stored in memory device 126.Accordingly, the processor 125 may be configured to average the storedstate of charge values. The plurality of received state of charge valuesmay be received over a predetermined period of time. For example, anaverage may be determined for all values received over a period of 1second. Further, in some exemplary embodiments, an average state ofcharge value may be determined based on some predetermined number ofreceived state of charge values. For example, the average state ofcharge value may be determined based on the last six received state ofcharge values. In this example, a first-in first-out algorithm may beutilized for the state of charge values such that when a new state ofcharge value is received, the oldest state of charge value may bediscarded. The processor 125 may therefore be configured to determinethe average of the stored state of charge values, the variation in thosevalues, or the trend of those values with respect to time or otheroperating conditions of the printer.

In this regard, the processor 125 may be configured to provide fortransmission of a power down signal, or a modification of a power downsignal, in response to the state of charge value, or the average stateof charge value, surpassing the state of charge load control threshold.The term surpassing, and variations of the term (i.e., surpass,surpassed, or the like), may be defined to mean reaching, exceeding,falling below, or the like. Further, the power down signal may be anysignal output by the processor that may indicate that the state ofcharge value, or the average state of charge value, has surpassed thestate of charge load control threshold. In some exemplary embodiments,the modification of a signal (e.g., the power down signal) may be achange in a power or voltage level of the signal. Further, in someexemplary embodiments, in response to the state of charge signal fallingbelow the state of charge load control threshold, the processor 125 maytransmit a power down signal, or a modification of a power down signal,to the load controller 130 causing the load controller 130 to interruptpower to the load 135. Similarly, in some exemplary embodiments, inresponse to the state of charge signal reaching or exceeding the stateof charge load control threshold (i.e., due to charging of the battery),the processor 125 may transmit a power down signal, or a modification ofa power down signal, to the load controller 130 causing the loadcontroller 130 to cease interruption of power (i.e., allow power toflow) to the load.

FIG. 7 illustrates a method for performing load control according tovarious exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The exemplarymethod of FIG. 7 may be implemented by the apparatus 120 or theprocessor 125. Various steps or operations of the exemplary method ofFIG. 7 may be omitted, and various orderings of the steps or operationsare contemplated.

The exemplary method of FIG. 7 may include providing for transmission ofa request for a state of charge value at 150. The exemplary method mayalso include receiving a representation of the state of charge value at152. At 154, the exemplary method may include comparing the state ofcharge value with a state of charge load control threshold. In someexemplary embodiments, comparing the state of charge value with a stateof charge load control threshold may include comparing a state of chargevalue that is an average state of charge value to the state of chargeload control threshold. At 156, the exemplary method may also includeproviding for transmission of a power down signal, or a modification ofa power down signal, in response to the state of charge value surpassingthe state of charge load control threshold.

Battery Charge Control Feature

FIGS. 8, 9, and 10 describe exemplary embodiments that may performbattery charge control, such as charge control of the printer 10. Theexemplary embodiments describing aspects of FIGS. 8, 9, and 10 may, butneed not, be combined with the other aspects of the present invention asdescribed herein.

Exemplary embodiments may include a state of charge low threshold and astate of charge high threshold. In this regard, the state of charge lowthreshold may be set such that when a state of charge value of a batteryfalls below the state of charge low threshold, charging of the batterymay be initiated. Further, when the state of charge value of a batteryrises to, or exceeds, the state of charge high threshold, batterycharging may be interrupted.

By setting a state of charge high threshold, charging of a battery maybe discontinued before the battery achieves a maximum charge. In someinstances, charging a battery to a maximum charge may be detrimental tothe operation of the battery over the lifetime of the battery. Further,by setting a state of charge low threshold, a battery need notexperience continuous recharging cycles when the state of charge of thebattery falls below the state of charge high threshold. These continuousrecharging cycles may also be detrimental to battery operation over thelifetime of the battery. Rather the state of charge low threshold mayprovide for a discharge region between the state of charge low thresholdand the state of charge high threshold where the battery need not bere-charged to the state of charge high threshold until the state ofcharge of the battery falls to the state of low threshold. Byimplementing the thresholds in this manner, continuous re-charging ofthe battery may be avoided when the battery is connected to a chargerand the state of charge of the battery falls below the state of chargehigh threshold.

With regard to battery charge control, the signal diagram of FIG. 8provides an exemplary scenario. In this regard, embodiments may receivea state of charge value and control the charging of a battery based onthe state of charge value. The state of charge value may be compared toa state of charge low threshold and a state of charge high threshold.

In the exemplary scenario of FIG. 8, at 160 the state of charge value isbetween the state of charge low threshold and the state of charge highthreshold. At 160, the battery may be connected to a charging powersupply capable of charging the battery through battery charging controlcircuitry (e.g., a battery charge controller). However, since the stateof charge value is above the state of charge low threshold, charging ofthe battery is not initiated and the charge control signal remains at alevel such that the battery is not charged.

At 162, the battery begins to discharge and the state of charge valuefalls to the state of charge low threshold at 164. In response to thestate of charge falling to the state of charge low threshold, the chargecontrol signal may be modified such that charging is initiated at 164,since the battery is connected to a charging power supply. Charging maycontinue until the state of charge value reaches the state of chargehigh threshold at 166. In response to the state of charge reaching thestate of charge high threshold the charge control signal may be modifiedsuch that charging is interrupted at 166. In the exemplary scenario ofFIG. 8, the charging power supply may be disconnected from the batterycharge control circuitry, and, in turn, the battery, possibly for mobileoperation of the device being powered by the battery sometime after 166and before 168.

From 166 to 168, the state of charge value may fall while the battery isdischarging, for example, due to the operation of a device powered bythe battery. At 168, the state of charge value again reaches the stateof charge low threshold, and the charge control signal may be modifiedagain such that charging may be initiated at 168. However, since thecharging power supply is no longer connected to the battery chargecontrol circuitry, charging of the battery may not commence. At 169, thecharging power source may be connected to the battery control circuitry,and since the charge control signal has been modified to allow forcharging of the battery, battery charging may commence.

FIG. 9 depicts an additional exemplary apparatus 170 for performingbattery charge control according to various exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention. The apparatus 170 and, in particular, the processor125 and the memory device 126 may be configured to perform variousaspects of battery charge control as described with respect to FIGS. 8,9, and 10, in addition to, or in lieu of, being configured to performvarious aspects of load control as described with respect to FIGS. 6 and7. The apparatus 170 may be embodied as scenario 160 of FIG. 8 and mayinclude some or all of the components of apparatus 120, such as thesmart battery 95 (including the battery 140 and the state of chargegenerator 145), the load controller 130, and the load 135, which may beembodied and/or operate as described above. Additionally, the apparatus170 may include a charging controller 172 and a charging power supply174.

The charging controller 172 may be any type of controllable switchingdevice that may be used to interrupt and reestablish the flow of currentfrom the charging power source 174 to the battery 140. In this regard,the charging controller 172 may be a switching relay, a transistor, acontrollable switch, or the like. The charging controller 172 mayinclude an input that may receive a control signal and in responsegenerate an open or closed circuit condition.

The charging power supply 174 may be any type of power source that maybe used to charge the battery 140. In this regard, the charging powersupply 174 may originate from, for example, a wall outlet, a generator,an alternator, another battery, or the like. In some exemplaryembodiments, the charging power supply 174 may be external to theapparatus 170 and/or may be removable from the charging controller 172and/or the battery 140. In these embodiments, when the charging powersupply 174 is removed, the charging power supply 174 may be unable tocharge the battery 140. In some exemplary embodiments, the chargingcontroller 172 may also be removable with the charging power supply 174.

The processor 125 may be configured to receive a state of charge valueas described above. The processor 125 may also be configured to comparethe state of charge value, or an average state of charge value, to astate of charge low threshold and a state of charge high threshold. Thestate of charge low threshold and the state of charge high threshold maybe stored in, for example, the memory device 126, and the processor 125may be configured to retrieve the state of charge low threshold and thestate of charge high threshold from the memory device 126 forcomparison.

The processor 125 may also be configured to provide for transmission ofa charge control signal, or a modification to a charge control signal,in response to the state of charge value being less than the state ofcharge low threshold. In this regard, the charge control signal, or themodification of a charge control signal may initiate charging of abattery. For example, the processor 125 may provide the charge controlsignal, or modification thereof, to charging controller 172, and inresponse, the charging controller 172 may generate a closed circuitbetween the charging power supply 174 and the battery 140, therebycharging the battery 140. In instances where the charging power supply174 is removed, the processor 125 may provide the charge control signal,or modification thereof, to the charging controller 172, and thecharging controller 172 may respond; however, charging may not initiateuntil the charging power supply 174 is connected to the chargingcontroller 172 and/or the battery 140.

The processor 125 may also be configured to provide for transmission ofa charge control signal, or a modification to a charge control signal,in response to the state of charge value being greater than or equal tothe state of charge low threshold. In this regard, the charge controlsignal, or the modification of a charge control signal may interruptcharging of a battery. For example, the processor 125 may provide thecharge control signal, or modification thereof, to the chargingcontroller 172, and in response, the charging controller 172 maygenerate an open circuit between the charging power supply 174 and thebattery 140, thereby interrupting the charging of the battery 140.

FIG. 10 illustrates a method for performing battery charge controlaccording to various exemplary embodiments. The exemplary method of FIG.10 may be implemented by the apparatus 170 or the processor 125. Varioussteps or operations of the exemplary method of FIG. 10 may be omitted,and various orderings of the steps or operations are contemplated.

The exemplary method of FIG. 10 may include receiving a representationof the state of charge value at 180. In this regard, the exemplarymethod may also include providing for transmission of a request for astate of charge value, and receiving the representation of the state ofcharge value in response to the request. At 182, the exemplary methodmay include providing for transmission of a battery charge signal, or amodification of a battery charge signal, to thereby charge a battery inresponse to the state of charge value being less than a state of chargelow threshold. At 184, the exemplary method may include providing fortransmission of a battery charge signal, or a modification of a batterycharge signal, to thereby interrupt battery charging in response to thestate of charge value being greater than or equal to a state of chargehigh threshold. In some exemplary embodiments, an average state ofcharge value may be used as the state of charge value in 182 and/or 184.

With or without these approaches, information about the battery, itsstate of charge, its current condition, or its usage history could beused to moderate operation of the printer, display instructions tousers, or alert external systems via the external communication systems.For instance, in some applications, printing may be sped up or printdarkness may be reduced as the battery discharges in order to maximizethe amount of printing from the available charge. A warning could beprinted out, printing could be delayed, or a message could be renderedon the user display to warn of low charge conditions. This could beparticularly valuable if enough power remains for basic communicating orprinting a single label, but there is insufficient power for printing afull batch of labels or for downloading a large data update. Radiocommunication or RFID encoding could also be temporarily suspended toconserve power.

FIGS. 7 and 10 are flowcharts of systems, methods, and program productsaccording to exemplary embodiments of the invention. It will beunderstood that each block, step, or operation of the flowcharts, andcombinations of blocks, steps or operations in the flowcharts, can beimplemented by various means, such as hardware, firmware, and/orsoftware including one or more computer program code portions, programinstructions, or executable program code portions. For example, one ormore of the procedures described above may be embodied by computerprogram code instructions. In this regard, the computer programinstructions which embody the procedures described above may be storedby a memory device of the apparatus and executed by a processor in theapparatus. As will be appreciated, any such computer programinstructions may be loaded onto a computer or other programmableapparatus (i.e., hardware) to produce a machine, such that theinstructions which execute on the computer or other programmableapparatus create means for implementing the functions specified in theflowcharts block(s), step(s), or operation(s). These computer programinstructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that candirect a computer, a processor, or other programmable apparatus tofunction in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored inthe computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture includinginstruction means which implement the function specified in theflowcharts block(s), step(s), or operation(s). The computer programinstructions may also be loaded onto a computer, processor, or otherprogrammable apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to beperformed on the computer, processor, or other programmable apparatus toproduce a computer-implemented process such that the instructions whichexecute on the computer, processor, or other programmable apparatusprovide steps for implementing the functions specified in the flowchartsblock(s), step(s), or operation(s).

Accordingly, blocks, steps, or operations of the flowcharts supportcombinations of means for performing the specified functions,combinations of steps for performing the specified functions and programinstruction means for performing the specified functions. It will alsobe understood that one or more blocks, steps, or operations of theflowcharts, and combinations of blocks, steps, or operations in theflowcharts, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-basedcomputer systems which perform the specified functions or steps, orcombinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

Ribbon Cartridge Insertion Feature

Another feature that may be included in a portable printer according toan exemplary embodiment is a ribbon cartridge insertion feature. Theribbon cartridge insertion feature provides a user with access to aribbon receiving area 50 (shown in FIG. 4), which may include one ormore cavities, for example, to allow a user to remove an old ribboncartridge and/or to allow a user to install a new ribbon cartridge. Morespecifically, the ribbon cartridge insertion feature allows the user toaccess the ribbon cartridge without requiring removal of the media. Inthis way, as described below, the user may replace or install a ribboncartridge without having to first remove the media from the mediareceiving area.

Referring to FIG. 1, when the ribbon cover 20 and the media cover 30 ofthe printer 10 are closed, a user can depress the media cover button 35to open the media cover 30. The media cover button 35 may be located inany location that is accessible to the user when the ribbon and mediacovers 20, 30 are closed, such as on a side of the printer 10. The mediacover button 35 may engage an internal portion of the media cover 30 inthe closed media position such that depressing the button 35 releasesthe media cover 30 so that it may be opened by a user to expose themedia 45 and/or the media receiving area 40, as shown in FIG. 3. Forexample, depressing the media cover button 35 may release aspring-loaded tab 36 located on a shield housing 64 that is integral toor otherwise attached to the media cover 30. Disengagement of thespring-loaded tab 36 may also serve to urge the media cover 30 away fromthe rest of the printer housing, towards the opened media positionillustrated in FIG. 3.

In the depicted embodiments, opening of the media cover 30 exposes aribbon cover button 25, which is configured to provide access to theribbon cartridge. Depressing the ribbon cover button 25 allows theribbon cover 20 to move to an opened ribbon position and substantiallysimultaneously raises an installed ribbon cartridge 52 away from theprinter housing 12 such that the ribbon cartridge 52 is disposed in anaccessible position. In the accessible position, the ribbon cartridge 52may be grasped and removed by the user, as shown in FIG. 4 and describedbelow. Likewise, a new ribbon cartridge 52 may be installed by placingthe ribbon cartridge 52 in the ribbon receiving area 50 and closing theribbon cover 20 to urge the ribbon cartridge 52 into an installedposition for printing.

FIG. 11 shows a cut-away partial view of the top of the printer 10 withthe ribbon cover 20 in the closed ribbon position, and FIG. 12 shows asimilar view with the ribbon cover 20 in the opened ribbon position. Theribbon cover 20 may be generally spring-loaded or otherwise biased tothe opened ribbon position and may be held in the closed ribbon positionat least in part by the ribbon cover button 25. In this way, depressingthe ribbon cover button 25 releases the ribbon cover 20 and facilitatesmovement of the ribbon cover 20 away from the ribbon receiving area 50to the opened ribbon position. The ribbon cover 20 may be configured tomove to the opened ribbon position in various ways. For example, inFIGS. 11 and 12, the ribbon cover 20 remains engaged with the printerhousing 12 along two sides of the ribbon cover 20 and slides away fromthe media cover 30 (shown in FIG. 4) following a cam surface 14 on eachside of the printer housing 12.

The ribbon cartridge 52 (shown separately in FIG. 13) is configured tofit within the ribbon receiving area 50 with the supply spool 56 beingreceived by a ribbon cartridge retaining feature 58. The ribboncartridge retaining feature may be a tray, as shown in the depictedembodiment, or one or more clips configured to engage at least a portionof the ribbon cartridge. The ribbon cartridge retaining feature 58 mayinclude a lifting portion 354 configured to support at least part of theribbon cartridge 52, and a securing portion 54 configured to maintainthe ribbon cartridge 52 in the installed position when the ribboncartridge retaining feature 58 is in an operational position. The ribboncartridge retaining feature 58 may have, for example, a “U” shape suchthat the supply spool 56 rests in the trough of the “U” and is supportedby the lifting portion 354. When the ribbon cover 20 is in the closedribbon position, as seen in FIG. 11, the ribbon cartridge retainingfeature 58 may be configured to move to the operational position,wherein the securing portion 54 (i.e., one leg of the “U” shape) coversthe supply spool 56, separating the ribbon receiving area 50 from themedia receiving area 40 and holding the ribbon cartridge 52 within theribbon receiving area 50. In this regard, the securing portion 54 mayinclude contact areas configured to engage the ribbon cartridge 52 tosecure the ribbon cartridge 52 in the installed position when the ribboncartridge retaining feature 58 is in the operational position. As shownin FIGS. 16 and 16A, for example, the contact areas may include tabs 454and/or ridges 455 configured to contact the ribbon cartridge 52 and urgeit into the installed position for printing operations.

When the ribbon cover 20 moves from the closed ribbon position to theopened ribbon position, illustrated in FIG. 12, the ribbon cartridgeretaining feature 58 is rotated towards the media receiving area 40(i.e., in the clockwise direction in FIGS. 11 and 12) from theoperational position to the retrieval position, thereby raising thesupply spool 56 out of the ribbon receiving area 50 and moving theribbon cartridge 52 from the installed position to the accessibleposition. In this regard, the ribbon cartridge retaining feature 58 maybe connected to the printer housing 12 via a ribbon cartridge hinge 62,such that ribbon cartridge retaining feature 58 is able to rotate aboutthe ribbon cartridge hinge 62 when the ribbon cover 20 moves between theclosed and opened ribbon positions.

The ribbon cover 20 is connected to the ribbon cartridge retainingfeature 58 via a linkage 44, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. The linkage 44may include a sliding component 66 that connects to the ribbon cover 20and a rotating component 68 that connects to the ribbon cartridgeretaining feature 58. A first end 47 of the sliding component 66 may beconnected to the ribbon cover 20 by a hinge pin 67 (shown in FIG. 12)such that as the ribbon cover 20 moves between the closed and openpositions the sliding component 66 is able to rotate with respect to theribbon cover 20 about the hinge pin 67.

The rotating component 68 may have an “L” shape, with a first leg 69 ofthe rotating component 68 engaging a second end 51 of the slidingcomponent 66 and a second leg 71 of the rotating component 68 connectingto the ribbon cartridge retaining feature 58. In this regard, the firstleg 69 of the rotating component 68 may include a hollow portion that isconfigured to receive the second end 51 of the sliding component 66 suchthat the second end 51 of the sliding component 66 is able to slidealong at least a portion of the length of the first leg 69.

The area of the printer housing 12 proximate the second leg 71 of therotating component 68 may include a slot 63 through which an extension61 of the ribbon cartridge retaining feature 58 passes to engage thesecond leg 71 of the rotating component 68. Thus, the second leg 71 mayinclude a hole 59 that is configured to receive the extension 61 of theribbon cartridge retaining feature 58. The hole 59 may be circular orslightly oblong to provide additional tolerance for receiving theextension 61. The second leg 71 may have various configurations. Forexample, the second leg 71 may incorporate a sector gear, as shown inFIGS. 11 and 12, that is configured to engage an optional damper (notshown) to slow down the motion of the ribbon cover 20 when the ribboncover 20 is moved from the closed position to the open position.

The first and second legs 69, 71 of the rotating component 68 may besubstantially perpendicular to each other, as shown in the figures, ormay join at some other angle suitable to allow the movement of thelinkage 44 and other components. The legs 69, 71 may define an aperture57 at their juncture that is configured to receive a protrusion 53 ofthe printer housing 12, thereby forming a pivot point. In this way, therotating component 68 is able to rotate about the protrusion 53, asdescribed below.

Referring now to FIG. 11, when the ribbon cover 20 is in the closedribbon position, the second end 51 of the sliding component 66 isreceived within the hollow portion of the first leg 69 of the rotatingcomponent 68 such that the second end is in a position proximate theprotrusion of the printer housing 12. In the closed ribbon position ofthis example, the first leg 69 of the rotating component 68 issubstantially perpendicular to the plane of the ribbon cover 20. Thesecond leg 71 of the rotating component 68 is positioned such that theextension 61 of the ribbon cartridge retaining feature 58 is held at oneend of the slot 63 corresponding to a retracted ribbon cartridgeretaining feature 58. Thus, when the ribbon cover 20 is in the closedribbon position, the securing portion 54 of the ribbon cartridgeretaining feature 58 substantially covers the supply spool 56 and limitsaccess to the ribbon cartridge 52.

Upon actuation of the ribbon cover button 25, the ribbon cover 20 movesfrom the closed ribbon position (FIG. 11) to the opened ribbon position(FIG. 12). As the ribbon cover 20 moves from the closed ribbon positionto the opened ribbon position, the sliding component 66 pivots about thehinge pin 67 and slides within the hollow portion of the first leg 69 ofthe rotating component 68, moving the second end 51 of the slidingcomponent 66 away from the protrusion 53 of the printer housing 12. Asthe sliding component 66 pivots and slides within the first leg 69, therotating component 68 is rotated about the protrusion 53, and theextension 61 of the ribbon cartridge retaining feature 58 is moved alongthe slot 63 by the second leg 71 of the rotating component 68. Inaddition, as the rotating component 68 rotates, the extension 61 ismoved along an arcuate path via the slot 63, which serves to rotate theribbon cartridge retaining feature 58 from the operational position(FIG. 11) to the retrieval position (FIG. 12), thereby presenting theribbon cartridge 52 to the user. For example, the extension 61 may be anextension of the lifting portion 354 (shown in FIG. 16) of the ribboncartridge retaining feature 58. Thus, as the extension 61 is rotated toa raised position via the rotating component 68, the ribbon cartridgeretaining feature 58 likewise moves towards the retrieval positiondescribed above.

When the user has accessed the ribbon cartridge 52, such as to removethe old cartridge and install a new cartridge, the user may close theribbon cover 20, for example, by manually moving the cover 20 from theopened ribbon position of FIG. 12 to the closed ribbon position of FIG.11. Closing the ribbon cover 20 serves to push the sliding component 66back into the hollow portion of the rotating component 68, rotating therotating component 68 towards the closed position, moving the extension61 of the ribbon cartridge retaining feature 58 via the slot 63, andmoving the ribbon cartridge retaining feature 58 to the operationalposition so that the ribbon cartridge 52 is ready for printing. As theribbon cover 20 reaches the closed ribbon position shown in FIG. 11, thecover 20 may engage the ribbon cover button 25 (directly or indirectly)such that the ribbon cover 20 is held in the closed ribbon position andthe ribbon cover button 25 is ready to open the ribbon cover 20 upon itsnext actuation. Furthermore, once the ribbon cover 20 has been closedand the ribbon cartridge 52 is in the operational position, there isadequate clearance for moving the media cover 30 into the closed mediaposition (see FIG. 1) such that the printer 10 may be used for printingoperations. In other words, the media cover 30 may be blocked frommoving to the closed media position when the ribbon cartridge retainingfeature 58 is in the retrieval position, requiring that the ribbon cover20 be closed before the media cover 30 can be closed.

In some embodiments (for example, embodiments in which the portableprinter is carried on a user's person), the printer defines a topsurface 300, a front surface 305, and a bottom surface 310, shown inFIG. 1. The ribbon cover 20 and the media cover 30 may form at leastpart of the front surface 305. The ribbon cover 20 may include aslidable opening mechanism 320 (shown in FIG. 12) including the linkage44, the cam surfaces 14, and/or biasing springs (not shown), and themedia cover 30 may include a clamshell opening mechanism 325 including amedia cover hinge 114 (shown in FIG. 3) and/or biasing springs (notshown). Alternatively, in some embodiments (not shown), the media cover30 may include the slidable opening mechanism, and the ribbon cover 20may include the clamshell opening mechanism.

A first button, such as the media cover button 35, may be used totrigger the clamsell opening mechanism 325, and a second button, such asthe ribbon cover button 25 may be used to trigger the slidable openingmechanism 320. Due to the orientation of the portable printer 10 on theuser's person, the slidable opening mechanism 320 may be spring biasedupwardly along a slide direction A (shown in FIG. 4) generally away fromthe bottom surface 310 of the printer. Similarly, the clamshell openingmechanism 25 may be structured to pivot downwardly (arrow B in FIG. 4)generally away from the top surface 300. For example, the force ofgravity may act on the media cover 35, in the case of the media cover 30including the clamshell opening mechanism 325, such that when actuationof the media cover button 35 releases the media cover 30 from theprinter housing, gravity assists the media cover 30 in pivoting aboutthe media cover hinge 114 away from the top surface 300 of the printer10, to the opened media position. In addition, a spring may be providedto facilitate or drive the media cover 30 to the opened media position.In contrast, in such embodiments, the slidable opening mechanism isbiased (e.g., spring-biased, etc.) to move upwardly against the force ofgravity.

In the depicted embodiment, the media cover button is located generallyproximate the ribbon cover button. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, themedia cover button 35 and the ribbon cover button 25 may be located onthe same side of the printer in order to facilitate one-handed openingof both covers. In this way, a user may be able to open the media coverand/or the ribbon cover, replace the media supply and/or the ribbonsupply, and close the media cover and/or the ribbon cover using only onehand.

Ribbon Cartridge Locating Features

In addition to the features described above, the printer 10 may beconfigured to receive and position a ribbon cartridge 52 for printingoperations via locating features of the printer housing 12. As describedbelow, the locating features of the printer housing 12 are configured toengage corresponding features on the ribbon cartridge 52 such that thecartridge 52 may be properly received in the ribbon receiving area 50 toproduce correct ribbon path alignment for printing without requiring thecartridge 52 to have precise design tolerances. In this way, the ribboncartridge 52 may include a frame 352 that is manufactured using a gradeof plastic or other material that is semi-flexible and may thus be lessexpensive than more rigid types of plastic. Such lower grade plastics(which are typically less rigid and less expensive than higher gradeplastics) may include polystyrene (PS) and acrylonitrile butadienestyrene (ABS). In contrast, higher grade plastics may includepolycarbonate (PC) and PolyEtherEtherKetone (PEEK). An exemplaryembodiment may use a ribbon cartridge 52 made of ABS. Use of asemi-flexible material such as ABS may allow the cartridge 52 to flexinto alignment as it is installed in the ribbon receiving area 50, inwhich case the locating features may hold the ribbon cartridge 52 inplace once installed to prevent unwanted flexing during printing, whichcould result in misalignment of the ribbon path.

With reference to FIG. 13, various surfaces and edges of the printerhousing 12 and printer components may include locating features 21, 23,27 that are configured to engage corresponding features 21′, 23′, 27′ onthe ribbon cartridge 52 to hold the ribbon cartridge in place duringoperation and maintain proper ribbon alignment. For example, the printerhousing 12 may include a first locating feature 21 defined by twoopposing inner walls 13 of the printer housing 12, as shown in FIG. 13.The first locating feature 21 of FIG. 13 is a parabolic groove cut outof each wall 13 that is sized and shaped to receive a firstcorresponding feature of the ribbon cartridge frame 352 (which, in thiscase, is a circular protrusion 21′). The first locating feature 21 ofthe printer housing may be cut at an angle, as shown, such that when theribbon cartridge is first inserted into the ribbon receiving area 50,the protrusion 21′ rests on the edge of the outer wall 13 proximate thefirst locating feature 21 but not in the trough of first locatingfeature 21, as shown in FIG. 14. When the ribbon cover 20 issubsequently moved from the opened ribbon position to the closed ribbonposition and the supply spool 56 of the ribbon cartridge 52 is loweredinto the ribbon receiving area 20 via movement of the ribbon cartridgeretaining feature 58 (see FIGS. 11 and 12 and the correspondingdescription above), the protrusion 21′ is moved into engagement with thetrough of the first locating feature 21, as shown in FIG. 14. Onceengaged, the protrusion 21′ is surrounded on three sides by the wall 13,thereby restricting movement of the ribbon cartridge 52, as shown inFIG. 15.

Referring again to FIG. 13, a second locating feature 23 may be locatedon the inner surface of the printer frame 12. The second locatingfeature 23 may, for example, be on a portion of the inner surface of theprinter frame 12 opposite the ribbon cartridge retaining feature 58 andadjacent the supply spool 56 when the supply spool 56 is installed. Inthis way, the second locating feature 23 may be positioned to engage asecond corresponding feature of the ribbon cartridge 52 when thecartridge 52 is installed and the ribbon cover 20 is closed. Referringto FIG. 16, for example, the corresponding feature may be a tab 23′ onthe ribbon cartridge frame 352 proximate the supply spool 56. Thus, asthe ribbon cartridge 52 is lowered into the ribbon receiving area 50 viathe ribbon cartridge retaining feature 58 (i.e., as the ribbon cover isclosed), the tab 23′ may come to rest against the inner surface of theprinter frame 12 in the area of the second locating feature 23.

A third locating feature may be a fin 27 located in the media cover 30that is integrally molded or otherwise attached to an inside surface ofthe media cover 30, as shown in FIG. 17. For example, a shield housing64 of the media cover 30 (discussed below) may define the fin 27 on eachend wall 26. The location of the fin 27 may be such that when the ribboncartridge 52 is installed and lowered into the ribbon receiving area 50and the media cover 30 is closed, the fin 27 engages the thirdcorresponding feature, which may be a notch 27′ defined by the ribboncartridge frame 352, thereby restricting the ribbon cartridge 52 frommoving toward the media cover 30.

The combination of the three locating features 21, 23, 27 describedabove can thus maintain the ribbon cartridge 52 in position duringprinting operations by resisting lateral and rotation forces that may beapplied to the cartridge during printing. FIG. 18 shows the reactiveforces that may be applied by the corresponding features 21′, 23′, 27′to stabilize the ribbon cartridge 52 and maintain proper alignment ofthe ribbon path.

As mentioned above and shown in FIG. 18, the ribbon cartridge 52 mayinclude a supply spool 56, a take-up spool 49, and a ribbon cartridgeframe 352. The ribbon cartridge frame 352 may include a first portion351 structured to support the supply spool 56 and a second portion 353structured to support the take-up spool. A retrieval assist angle a maybe defined between the first portion 351 and the second portion 353. Inaddition, one or more gripping portions 450 may be defined proximate theretrieval assist angle a to facilitate grasping of the ribbon cartridge.Thus, the gripping portions 450 may assist a user in handling the ribboncartridge 52 when retrieving the cartridge 52 from the ribbon receivingarea 50 or inserting the cartridge 52 into the ribbon receiving area 50,as shown in FIGS. 16 and 18.

In this regard, the retrieval assist angle a may be any angle between50° and 150°. For example, the retrieval assist angle a may be in therange of 90°-120°. The ribbon cartridge 352 may be adapted to bereceived in a printer, as described above, such that the grippingportions 450 are exposed for grasping by a user when the ribboncartridge is disposed in the accessible potion and not exposed forgrasping by the user when the ribbon cartridge is disposed in theinstalled position. Furthermore, the gripping portions 450 may includeridges or extended surfaces or points defined on the frame 352 thatprovide an area for the user to grasp the cartridge 52 when retrievingthe cartridge from the ribbon receiving area 50. In this regard, thegripping portions 450 may be configured to sit above the rest of thecartridge 52 with respect to the plane of the front surface 305 of theprinter when the ribbon cartridge retaining feature 58 is in theretrieval position.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 16, the printhead support 410 may define a topsurface 471, and the gripping portions 450 may be disposed below the topsurface 471 when the ribbon cartridge 52 is in the installed position.Similarly, the gripping portions 450 may be disposed above the topsurface 471 of the printhead support 410 when the ribbon cartridge 52 isin the accessible position. Thus, when the ribbon cartridge retainingfeature 58 is lowered into the operational position, the grippingportions 450 may sink into the ribbon receiving area 50 such that thegripping portions 450 are no longer accessible and the ribbon cover door20 may be closed. In addition, the gripping portions 450 may include arough texture or other non-smooth surface to help the user grip thecartridge frame 352 when loading and unloading the printer.

In some embodiments, the take-up spool 49 may define an RFID tagconfigured to hold information regarding the ribbon cartridge. Forexample, the RFID tag may include information such as the type of ribboncartridge, the manufacturer, and the date of manufacture that can beread by an RFID reader disposed on a corresponding portion of theprinter housing (such as within the ribbon cartridge receiving area).

Ribbon Guiding Feature

Another feature that may be included to improve printing quality in aprinter is a ribbon guiding feature. The ribbon guiding featurecomprises a ribbon guide 72, shown in FIGS. 5 and 19, that is configuredto contact and guide the ribbon 55 along the ribbon path as the ribbon55 extends between the supply spool 56 and the printhead 70. As theribbon 55 passes over the ribbon guide 72, the ribbon guide 72 is ableto adjust and align itself with respect to the ribbon 55 such that theribbon guide 72 can remain in contact with the width of the ribbon 55.In this way, the tension in the ribbon 55 may be generally equalized,reducing the incidence of wrinkles in the ribbon 55 and improving printquality without requiring the use of a highly precise guiding surface.

FIG. 5 shows a printing mechanism 400 in accordance with someembodiments of the invention. The printing mechanism 400 includes aprinthead 70 defining a printing surface 470, a platen 75 configured tooppose the printing surface 470 during printing operations, a ribbonguide 72 configured to guide a portion of ribbon 55 over the printingsurface 470 of the printhead 70, and a printhead support 410 defining aprinthead receiving portion 415 and a ribbon guide receiving portion185. The printhead receiving portion 415 is thus configured to attach tothe printhead 70, and the ribbon receiving portion 185 is configured toattach to the ribbon guide 72, as described below. Furthermore, theplaten 75 may be included in the media cover 30, such that when themedia cover 30 is moved from the opened media position to the closedmedia position, the platen is moved into place to operationally engagethe printhead 70 at the printing surface 470.

Referring to FIG. 19, the ribbon guide 72 includes a guide portion 72and an attachment portion 74. The guide portion 73 has a guide surface76, across which the ribbon 55 travels as fresh ribbon is supplied bythe supply spool 56 and consumed ribbon is taken up by the take-up spool49 (shown in FIG. 5). The guide portion 73, as well as other parts ofthe ribbon guide 72, may be made of any material capable of providing asmooth surface that allows the ribbon 55 to be drawn across the guidesurface 76 without being hindered, torn, or otherwise damaged. Forexample, the guide portion 73 may be made of an injection-moldedplastic. In some cases, the guide portion 73 includes a carbon-fiberfilling that promotes the dissipation of static electricity from theribbon. Static electricity may be generated on the ribbon 55 due to thefriction created as the ribbon 55 is pulled across the guide surface 76.Static may also be generated as a result of unrolling the ribbon 55 fromthe supply spool 56. If left undissipated, the static electricity maybuild to a level that can damage the thermal printhead 70 or otherelectronics downstream, disrupt the normal operations of the electronicsystems, or at least impair the quality of the printing operation.

Referring again to FIG. 19, the guide portion 73 is affixed to theattachment portion 74 and is substantially perpendicular to theattachment portion 74. For example, the guide portion 72 and theattachment portion 74 may form a “T” shape when viewed in cross-section,as shown in FIG. 5. The guide portion 73 and the attachment portion 74may be joined to each other using an adhesive, or the two portions 73,74 may be integrally molded to form a unitary ribbon guide 72. In anycase, the guide portion 73 is configured such that the width x_(l) ofthe guide portion 73 increases from each end of the guide portion 73 tothe center area of the guide portion 73 (i.e., along the y-axis), asillustrated in FIG. 20, creating a ribbon guide pivot point 77 on theguide portion 73 at the area of increased width, as described below.Similarly, the attachment portion 74 may be configured such that theedge of the attachment portion 74 farthest from the guide portion 73 maybe bowed out in the center area, corresponding to the area of increasedwidth of the guide portion 73. Thus, the width of the ribbon guide 72proximate each end of the ribbon guide is less than the width proximatea central portion of the ribbon guide. In this way, additional clearancex₂ may be provided at the ends of the attachment portion 74 to allow theribbon guide 72 to pivot once installed, as described below.

With reference to FIG. 5, the attachment portion 74 is configured to bemounted to the printer housing 12 via the ribbon guide receiving portion185 of the printhead support 410 (which is described in conjunction withthe RFID coupler mounting feature below). The printhead support 410 maybe, for example, one or more aluminum extrusions and may include abracket portion 78 configured to receive the attachment portion 74 ofthe ribbon guide 72. For example, the bracket portion 78 may have a “C”shape in cross-section, as shown in FIG. 5. The ends of the “C” may beseparated by a distance that corresponds to the thickness of theattachment portion 74 such that the attachment portion 74 may fit withinand be supported by the bracket portion 78.

In this regard, the attachment portion 74 may include a guide tab 79,depicted in FIGS. 19 and 20, located on the edge of the attachmentportion 74 farthest from the guide portion 73 and proximate the ribbonguide pivot point 77 in the central portion of the ribbon guide. Theguide tab 79 may be configured to maintain the attachment portion 74 inengagement with the bracket portion 78 of the ribbon guide receivingportion 185 while at the same time allowing the ribbon guide 72 to pivotabout the ribbon guide pivot point 77 in the direction of the arrowsshown in FIG. 19.

Once in place within the bracket portion 78 shown in FIG. 5, the shapeof the guide portion 73 and corresponding shape of the attachmentportion 74 allow the ribbon guide 72 to pivot about the ribbon guidepivot point 77 (shown in FIG. 20). This is because the edge of the guideportion 73 proximate the ribbon guide pivot point 77 maintains contactwith the outer surface 81 of the bracket portion 78 while the edge ofthe guide portion 73 at each end of the guide portion 73 is free to movewith respect to the outer surface 81 of the bracket portion 78. Thecorresponding shape of the attachment portion 74 provides clearance atthe ends of the attachment portion 74 to move within the bracket portion78 in response to the pivoting.

Referring to FIG. 5, the ribbon guide 72 is supported by the ribbonguide receiving portion 185 in a position along the path of the ribbon55 between the supply spool 56 and the thermal printhead 70. As theribbon 55 is unwound from the supply spool 56 and moves towards thetake-up spool 49, part of the ribbon 55 may experience more tension thanthe rest of the ribbon 55. For example, one edge of the ribbon 55 may bestretched more tautly between the supply spool 56 and the thermalprinthead 70/platen roller 75, leaving the opposite edge of the ribbon55 to hang more loosely. As a result, the ribbon guide 72 in this casepivots about the ribbon guide pivot point 77 in the direction ofincreased tension. In other words, the increased tension in the ribbon55 moves the guide portion 73 towards the bracket portion 78 of theribbon guide receiving portion 185 in the high-tension area while theopposite end of the guide portion 73 is moved away from the bracketportion 78. Some of the tension in the high-tension area of the ribbon55 is thereby be relieved, and a corresponding portion of the tension inthe other areas of the ribbon 55 is increased proportionally whilemaintaining contact of the guide surface 76 with the ribbon 55 acrossthe width of the ribbon. In this way, the tension across the width ofthe ribbon 55 may be continually equalized during printing withoutinterrupting the printing operation.

RFID Coupler Mounting Feature

Another feature that may be included in a printer 10 according to anexemplary embodiment is an RFID coupler mounting feature. FIG. 5 showsthat this feature allows an RFID coupler 60 to be mounted in a printer10 for reading, encoding, or otherwise communicating with RFID tags.

The RFID coupler mounting feature may be useful for quickly encoding andreading data for product labels. For example, this feature may help withprinting needs on or near an assembly line, in distribution centers orwarehouses where on-demand RFID encoding and reading is required, and ina variety of other applications. Although this feature is disclosed herein a specific embodiment for use within a portable thermal transferprinter 10, it may also be used with any type of RFID encoding orreading device or other types of printers using other printingtechnologies.

The RFID coupler mounting feature provides for a relatively small andcompact configuration for the combination of the RFID coupler and theprinthead. Typically, in conventional printers, when combining an RFIDcoupler with a printhead for use in one printer, a greater distance isnecessary to achieve proper printing results. Moreover, conventionalcombination printers often require the printer to back-up or stop andread or encode the RFID tag, and then proceed forward to print with theprinthead 70. This system, however, allows for near continuous motion ofthe media 45 and even smaller media label sizes since the RFID coupler60 and printhead 70 are placed so close together.

Due to the close proximity of the RFID coupler 60 to the media 45,however, the energy radiated by the RFID coupler 60 may engage multiplemedia 45 or, more specifically, multiple RFID tags associated with themedia 45. In this regard, the RFID coupler mounting feature may includeone or more shielding elements to prevent or reduce the likelihood ofmultiple activations of RFID tags at the same time.

FIG. 21 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of this mounting feature.More specifically, the printer includes a printhead support 410,described above, for securing the RFID coupler 60 within the printer orrelative to the printhead. The printhead support 410 may be one piece,or, according to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 5, may include aprinthead receiving portion 415 that is formed separately and isfastened to the rest of the printhead support 410, as shown. Forexample, the printhead support 410 may be connected to the printhead 70with a printhead screw 189 or other fastener. At least part of theprinthead support 410, such as the ribbon guide receiving portion 185,may be an aluminum extrusion element that functions as a mounting pointfor the coupler and as an electromagnetic shield. With regard to theshield function, the printhead support 410 may define a cavity or pocket191 with one open end disposed proximate the printhead 70 such that atleast part of the printhead support 410 shields the coupler in alldirections other than the open end which faces a particular media 45 or,more specifically, the RFID tag associated with the particular media,that the coupler is intended to read or encode. Thus, the printheadsupport 410 maintains proper shielding while allowing for the printhead70 and RFID coupler 60 to be placed in close proximity to each other.Moreover, as seen in FIG. 5, the printhead support 410 may be shaped tocorrespond with the ribbon cartridge 52 and platen roller 75 to allowthe ribbon 55 to pass over the printhead 70 for effective thermaltransfer printing.

As can be seen from FIGS. 4 and 12, the printhead support 410 may beconfigured such that, when received in a printer housing, a first end480 and a second end 481 of the printhead 70 define channels 490 onopposite sides of the printhead 70 (e.g., between the respective end andthe printer housing) that are configured to receive at least a portionof the ribbon cartridge frame 352 installed in the ribbon receiving area50. Thus, when installed, the printhead 70 is positioned between thesupply spool 56 and the take-up spool 49 of the ribbon cartridge 52, asillustrated in FIG. 5. When the ribbon cartridge retaining feature 58 ismoved from retrieval position (FIG. 12) to the operational position(FIG. 11), the ribbon cartridge frame 352 is thus further received bythe channels 490 at each end 480, 481 of the printhead 70, therebyallowing the ribbon cover 20 to close. The “peninsular” orientation ofthe printing mechanism 400 within the printer therefore allows a morecompact configuration of the printing mechanism 400, ribbon cartridge52, and printer housing, providing for a smaller and more efficientlydesign portable printer 10.

As previously stated, according to the illustrated embodiment, theprinthead support 410 may be an aluminum extrusion element. However, inother embodiments, the printhead support 410 may be made of anyconductive material or combination of conductive materials, such ascopper, aluminum, or the like. Moreover, in other embodiments, theprinthead support 410 may be manufactured through a method other than anextrusion method. For example, the printhead support 410 may be madethrough a deep drawing method, a casting method, or other manufacturingmethod or combination thereof Furthermore, at least part of theprinthead support 410, such as the printhead receiving portion 415, mayact as a heat sink to dissipate heat generated by the printhead 70during printing operations.

Referring back to FIG. 21, in instances such as the illustratedembodiment, in which providing shielding of the coupler is desirable,the printer may further include a separate (i.e., not part of theprinthead support 410) electromagnetic shield 193 to further blockenergy radiated by the RFID coupler 60. According to the illustratedembodiment, the media cover 30 of the printer 10 may include anelectromagnetic shield. For example, the media cover 30 may define aprotrusion, termed the shield housing 64, that stores theelectromagnetic shield 193. When the media cover 30 is closed, theelectromagnetic shield 193 blocks the stored media 45 from being read orencoded by the RFID coupler 60. The electromagnetic shield 193 can bemade of any conductive material, such as aluminum. As shown, when themedia cover 30 is closed, the shield housing 64 is strategicallypositioned between the RFID coupler 60 and the roll of media 45. Sinceeach media has an associated RFID tag, the roll of media 45 is also aroll of RFID tags which may be at risk of unintentional activation butfor the shield housing 64 being positioned between the roll of RFID tagsand the RFID coupler 60.

In addition to shielding, the range of the radiated energy from the RFIDcoupler 60 may be controlled, so that only the desired RFID tag is reador encoded. A short range RFID coupler 60 reduces the chance thatadditional RFID tags will be engaged when in typical operation. In suchembodiments, printhead support 410 may be configured to mount thecoupler but not specifically configured for shielding. For example, theprinthead support 410 may define a frame-like element that is configuredto hold the RFID coupler but not necessarily to provide shielding foreach side of the RFID coupler except one.

Thus, the printhead support 410, electromagnetic shield 193, and theRFID coupler 60 combine to create an environment where the RFID coupler60 reads or encodes the desired RFID tag and minimizes the likelihood ofunintentional activation of multiple RFID tags at the same time. In someembodiments, the RFID coupler 60 may be further configured to have alimited range for reading and/or encoding, as described in U.S. PatentPublication No. 2007-0262873 entitled “RFID UHF StriplineAntenna-Coupler,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

FIG. 22 illustrates the RFID coupler 60 being mounted inside the pocket191 of the printhead support 410. As an example and as illustrated, theRFID coupler 60 may be connected directly to the printhead support 410with two coupler screws 195. The RFID coupler 60 may be connected withthe smaller end 187 facing the media 45 for encoding or reading. Thismounting enables the RFID coupler 60 to be shielded by the printheadsupport 410 while still maintaining close proximity to the printhead 70.

Media Guide Locking Feature

Another feature that may be included in the printer according to anembodiment is a media guide locking feature. The locking feature may beconfigured to secure the media 45 when the media cover 30 is in theclosed media position, stopping or hindering the media 45 from shiftingwhen the printer 10 is moved.

FIG. 23 shows an example of the locking system, which is comprised ofthree main parts: at least one media support arm 80; a first lockingelement 85 of the media support arm 80; and at least one second lockingelement on the media cover, such as a media cover rib 96. The lockingsystem utilizes a first locking element 85 located in each support arm80 to engage with media cover ribs 96 attached to the media cover 30.This system engages once the media cover 30 is closed and locks themedia 45 in a position, as shown in FIG. 24. When the media cover 30 isopened, the system disengages allowing the media 45 to move easily forloading purposes.

Such a locking system provides several benefits. For example, corelessmedia has been recognized by the inventors as presenting uniquechallenges when the media is consumed to a point at which the “core”(i.e., the portion of media at the center of the supply) is almostexhausted and can no longer act as a stable “core” due to the lack ofrigidity inherent in the media itself In other words, the media 45 isadapted to transition from a laterally strong condition (e.g., when theroll is full) to a laterally weak condition (e.g., when the roll isnearly empty). By providing the locking system described below, however,coreless media can be stabilized via the locking system throughout thelife of the media (i.e., from the time a full roll of media is installeduntil the media is consumed). Thus, the media can continue to be usedfor printing operations without negatively impacting the quality ofprinting as the media supply approaches empty, allowing for moreefficient use of resources.

According to the illustrated embodiment, at least one of the mediasupport arms 80 is biased to slidably translate along the housing toprovide a holding force C to opposite sides of the media 45 (shown inFIG. 25). At least one of the media support arms 80 may define a firstlocking element 85, which may include a locking element pivot point 98,a locking element tab 102, a locking element snap 104 and a lockingelement spring 106. FIG. 23 shows how the first locking element 85 maybe inserted into a support arm pocket 108 incorporated into the mediasupport arm 80. The first locking element 85 is inserted into thesupport arm pocket 108 through an aperture 112 via the locking elementsnap 104, which holds the first locking element 85 within the pocket 108and keeps the first locking element 85 from falling out of the pocket108 once it has been inserted. In other words, as the first lockingelement 85 is being inserted, the locking element snap 104 is movabletowards the body of the first locking element 85 to allow the firstlocking element 85 to clear the aperture 112 and be inserted into thepocket 108. Once the first locking element 85 (and, more specifically,the locking element snap 104) has cleared the aperture 112, the lockingelement snap 104 moves back to its original position and maintains thefirst locking element 85 within the pocket 108. A support arm 80 withthe first locking element 85 in position within the pocket 108 is shownin FIG. 25.

Once inserted, features on the first locking element 85 operate inconjunction with the support arm pocket 108 to ensure that the lockingelement tab 102 is forced through the support arm aperture 112. In thisregard, the locking element spring 106 pushes against the back of themedia support pocket 108, shown in FIG. 23, causing the first lockingelement 85 to pivot about the locking element pivot point 98. Thispivoting in turn causes the locking element tab 102 to be forced out thesupport arm aperture 112. The locking element snap 104 (shown in FIG.23) can be located in a manner that creates a default position in whichthe first locking element 85 stays within the support element pocket 108while allowing the locking element tab 102 to extend out the support armaperture 112. As will be discussed in greater detail later, the lockingelement spring 106 and locking element pivot point 98 allow externalforces to push the locking element tab 102 into the pocket 108 and alsoallow the first locking element 85 to return to the default positiononce the force is removed.

The second locking element, or, in this example, the media cover ribs96, can attach to the shield housing 64 portion of the media cover 30.FIG. 24 shows that near the end opposite the media cover hinge 114, aportion of the media cover 30 making up the shield housing 64 extendsaway from the outer covering back into the media receiving area 40.(FIG. 24 illustrates a portion of the media cover 30 and a first lockingelement 85 without a media support arm 80 to better illustrate theinteraction between the first locking element 85 and a media cover rib96 of the media cover 30.) The media cover ribs 96 may be located on theshield housing 64 such that the media cover ribs 96 face towards themedia and the media cover hinge 114. The media cover ribs 96 may in somecases span the width of the shield housing 64. In other cases, themiddle portion of the shielding housing 64 may not include media coverribs 96, such as in the example shown in FIG. 24.

The locking element tabs 102 engage with the media cover ribs 96 whenthe media cover 30 is in closed media position. The locking element tabs102 are configured to fit around or otherwise engage the media coverribs 96. For example, referring to FIG. 23, each locking element tab 102may have a first protrusion 116 and a second protrusion 118 on eitherside of a groove. Once a media cover rib 96 is engaged with the lockingelement tab 102 groove, the media support arm 80 is fixed and the media45 is locked in position. Although each locking element tab 102independently may be sufficient to lock the media 45 in place, using afirst locking element 85 in each media support arm 80 allows forredundancy.

The locking feature may also be configured to self-adjust. The pivotingfeature in the first locking element 85 allows the media cover 30 toclose easily regardless of the location of the first locking element 85.The pivoting feature will then adjust the first locking element 85 ifnecessary to engage the media cover ribs 96 while the media cover 30 isin the closed position. This self-adjust system can work as follows. Ifa media cover rib 96 lines up with the locking element tab 102 groove,then no adjustment is necessary because the media cover rib 96 slidesinto the groove unobstructed. Once the groove engages with the mediacover rib 96, the media 45 is locked into place. If a media cover rib 96is aligned so that it hits one of the protrusions 116 or 118 and not thegroove, the locking element tab 102 pivots through the support armaperture 112 into the media support arm pocket 108 allowing the mediacover 30 to close unobstructed. The locking element spring 106 continuesapplying force pushing the locking element tab 102 towards the supportarm aperture 112 out the media support arm pocket 108. This ensures thatwhen the media 45 is shifted, the locking element tab 102 will springout the support arm aperture 112 once the groove becomes aligned with amedia cover rib 96. Once the locking element tab 102 groove is engagedwith the media cover rib 96, the media 45 is locked in place. Slopingthe media cover ribs 96 and locking element tab 102 grooves may allowthe media cover ribs 96 to align with the locking element tabs 102 moreoften. Also, sloping the media cover ribs 96 and locking element tab 102groove may allow the locking system to engage after less shifting of themedia 45 if the locking element tab 102 groove is not aligned with amedia cover rib 96 when the media cover 30 is closed.

The locking feature may also provide an additional function. When thesystem is engaged, the locking element spring 106 pushes against boththe media cover ribs 96 and the back of the media support pocket 108.This forces the media support arms 80 away from shield housing 64, whichhelps to stabilize the media support arms 80 and increases the overallprinting quality.

Media Alignment Feature

A media alignment feature may also be included in embodiments of theprinter 10 in order to allow a user to properly align media with theprinthead when installing the supply of media. The media alignmentfeature may be provided in various forms, including alignment marks,alignment ribs, and edge guides, each of which is described below.

Referring to FIG. 26, the printer 10 in some embodiments may includealignment marks 205 on the outside surface of the ribbon cover 20 foraligning the edges of the media. In this regard, when the media 45 isinserted into the media receiving area 40 (see FIG. 3), the user canextend the leading end 207 of the media 45 (shown in FIG. 5) across theoutside surface of the ribbon cover 20, with the media cover 30 stillopen, and adjust the alignment of the media 45 by aligning the edges ofthe media 45 with corresponding alignment marks 205. Media 45 havingdifferent widths may be accommodated by choosing the pair of alignmentmarks 205 that are best positioned to match the width of the particularmedia 45. For example, wider media may be aligned using the outermostalignment marks 205, while media having a narrower width may be alignedwith the innermost alignment marks 205.

The alignment marks 205 may be provided on the outside surface of theribbon cover 20 in several ways. For example, the alignment marks 205may be printed or etched directly on the ribbon cover 20. Alternatively,the alignment marks 205 may be pre-printed on a label, for example alongwith a product logo or other design, and the label may then be adheredor otherwise affixed to the ribbon cover 20 in the appropriate location.

Once the edges of the media 45 have been aligned with the appropriatealignment marks 205, the media cover 30 may be closed to hold the mediain place. The alignment can then be double checked (for example, toensure that the media 45 was not shifted as the media cover 30 wasclosed) by extending the leading end 207 of the media roll 45 across thesurface of the closed media cover 30. Alignment ribs 209 are provided onthe media cover 30 of FIG. 26 for aligning the edges of the media 45once the media cover 30 is in the closed media position, i.e., the edgesof the media as it exits the media exit slot may be compared against thealignment ribs 209. As with the alignment marks 205, several alignmentribs 209 may be provided to allow for different widths of media 45. Ifthe media 45 is not aligned with the corresponding alignment ribs 209,the media cover 30 may be opened to allow the user to re-adjust themedia 45 using the alignment marks 205 as described above. The alignmentribs may be integrally molded with the media cover 30, or they may bemanufactured separately and adhered or otherwise affixed to the surfaceof the media cover 30.

Referring now to FIG. 27, another form of the media alignment featuremay include adjustable edge guides 211 on the ribbon cover 20 that canbe used to guide the edges of the media 45 as it exits the media exitslot 105. Each edge guide 211 may be movable within a guide slot 213 toaccommodate media 45 of various widths. In this regard, the edge guides211 may be connected by guide linkage (not shown) within the ribboncover 20 such that movement of one of the edge guides 211 results inmovement of the other edge guide 211 in the opposite direction.

For example, upon extending the leading end 207 of the media 45 acrossthe ribbon cover 20, prior to closing the media cover 30, the user maymanually adjust one of the edge guides 211, thereby moving both edgeguides 211 to fit the width of the media 45. In other words, if the edgeguides 211 are spaced too far apart and do not contact the edges of themedia 45, the user may push one of the edge guides 211 towards the edgeof the media 45 until the edge guide 211 contacts the media 45. As theedge guide 211 is moved towards the edge of the media 45 on one side,the other edge guide 211 is also moved into contact with the oppositeedge of the media 45 via the guide linkage. Conversely, if the edgeguides 211 are spaced too close to each other and do not fit the widthof the media 45, they may be moved apart in much the same way. Bylinking the two edge guides 211 in this manner, the media 45 may begenerally centered within the media exit slot 105 during the alignmentprocess. Once the media 45 has been aligned, the media cover 30 may beclosed, and the alignment of the media 45 may be double-checked usingalignment ribs 209 or other alignment features as described above.

Instead of moving the edge guides 211 directly (i.e., by pushing orpulling on the edge guide 211 itself), FIG. 28 depicts a form of themedia alignment feature that includes edge guides 211 that are movablevia a lever 217. Similarly, the edge guides 211 of FIG. 29 are movablevia a dial 219, and in FIG. 30 the edge guides 211 are movable via aslider 221 that slides along a slot 223 formed by the media cover 30. InFIGS. 28, 29, and 30, the edge guides 211 are movable within guide slots213 located on the media cover 30, proximate the media exit slot 105. Inthis way, the leading end of the media 45 need not be extended acrossthe outside surface of the ribbon cover 20 for purposes of alignment.

Referring to FIG. 28, the user may align the edges of the media 45 withtwo edge guides 211 by pushing on the lever 217. With reference to FIG.28, the position of the lever 217 farthest from the media exit slot 105may correspond to the outermost position of the edge guides 211 (i.e.,to accommodate the widest media), as shown. When the user in thisexample wishes to accommodate smaller media widths, the user may pushthe lever 217 towards the media exit slot 105, which serves to graduallymove the edge guides 211 closer to each other. Other embodiments mayprovide for the opposite motions of the edge guides 211 with movement ofthe lever 217. Similarly, in FIG. 29, the user may rotate a dial 219 tomove the edge guides 211. For example, rotating the dial 219 towards themedia exit slot 105 may move the edge guides 211 closer together, whilerotating the dial 219 away from the media exit slot 105 may move theedge guides 211 farther apart, or vice versa. In FIG. 30, the user maymove the slider 221 from one end of the slot 223 to the other end toadjust the position of the edge guides 211. Regardless, the coordinatedmovement of the edge guides 211 allows the user to align the edges ofthe media 45 with the two edge guides 211 while maintaining a particularposition within the media exit slot 105 (for example, while keeping themedia centered as it is outputted from the media exit slot 105).

In addition to facilitating the alignment of the media, any of theseembodiments may also be used to provide a simple measurement to the useras to the width of the loaded media. This measurement may be used torecalibrate the printer for the supply currently loaded. For instance,if the printer, or the host system, was configured to print 2-inch widelabels, and the printer is now loaded with 4-inch wide labels, the usermay wish to simply modify the position of printing on the labels alongthe new left edge. Determining the measurement and entering it into theprinter via the front panel or from a device in communication with theprinter would allow the printer to make the necessary calculations forrepositioning printed information in the proper location.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forthherein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which theseinventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in theforegoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is tobe understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specificembodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments areintended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a genericand descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

1. (canceled)
 2. A ribbon cartridge comprising: a supply spool; atake-up spool; and a cartridge frame comprising: a first portionstructured to support the supply spool, a second portion structured tosupport the take-up spool, wherein the second portion extends from thefirst portion such that a retrieval assist angle is defined between thefirst portion and the second portion.
 3. The ribbon cartridge of claim2, wherein the first portion and the second portion each define an innersurface and an exterior surface, wherein the retrieval assist angle isdefined between the interior surface of the first portion and theinterior surface of the second portion.
 4. The ribbon cartridge of claim3, wherein the retrieval assist angle is between about 50 degrees andabout 150 degrees.
 5. The ribbon cartridge of claim 4, wherein theretrieval assist angle is between about 90 degrees and about 120degrees.
 6. The ribbon cartridge of claim 2, further comprising agripping portion defined proximate an vertex of the retrieval assistangle.
 7. The ribbon cartridge of claim 6, wherein the gripping portioncomprises ridges defined in the cartridge frame that facilitatesgrasping of the ribbon cartridge by a user.
 8. The ribbon cartridge ofclaim 7, wherein the ribbon cartridge is adapted to be received in aprinter, and wherein the gripping portion is exposed for grasping by auser when the ribbon cartridge is disposed in an accessible position,and not exposed for grasping by the user when the ribbon cartridge isdisposed in an installed position.
 9. The ribbon cartridge of claim 2,wherein the first portion is configured to be held fixed relative to thesecond portion after installation into the printer.
 10. The ribboncartridge of claim 2, wherein the cartridge frame further comprises atleast one ribbon cartridge locating feature configured to engage acomplementary locating feature of the printer.
 11. The ribbon cartridgeof claim 10, wherein at least a part of the second portion defines acircular shape adapted to be received by a complementary ribbonretaining feature.
 12. The ribbon cartridge of claim 2, wherein thecartridge frame comprises a notch, wherein the notch is configured to beengaged by an alignment feature of a media cover of the printer.
 13. Aribbon cartridge comprising: a supply spool; a take-up spool; and acartridge frame comprising: a first portion structured to support thesupply spool, a second portion structured to support the take-up spool,wherein a retrieval angle is defined between the first portion and thesecond portion, wherein the retrieval angle is between about 50 degreesand about 150 degrees, and a gripping portion disposed proximate avertex of the retrieval angle.
 14. The ribbon cartridge of claim 13,wherein the angle is between about 90 degrees and about 120 degrees. 15.The ribbon cartridge of claim 13, wherein the first portion defines anotch configured to receive an alignment feature of a media cover of theprinter.
 16. The ribbon cartridge of claim 15, further comprising aprotrusion extending from the second portion, wherein the protrusion isconfigured to be received in a locating feature of the printer.
 17. Theribbon cartridge of claim 16, further comprising a tab disposed on thefirst portion, wherein the tab is configured to engage an alignmentsurface of the printer.
 18. The ribbon cartridge of claim 13, whereinthe gripping portion is accessible to a user when the ribbon cartridgeis in a retrieval position within the printer.
 19. The ribbon cartridgeof claim 18, wherein the gripping portion comprises a region of anon-smooth texture configured to improve grip.
 20. The ribbon cartridgeof claim 13, wherein the take-up spool defines an radio frequencyidentification tag configured to hold information regarding the ribboncartridge, wherein the information regarding the ribbon cartridgecomprises at least one of: ribbon cartridge type, manufacturer, or dateof manufacture.
 21. A printer comprising: a housing defining a ribbonreceiving area; a ribbon cartridge configured to be received within theribbon receiving area, the ribbon cartridge comprising: a supply spool;a take-up spool; and a cartridge frame comprising a first portionstructured to support the supply spool, a second portion configured tosupport the take-up spool, and at least one gripping portion definedproximate a vertex between an angle defined between the first portionand the second portion; and a ribbon cover configured to be movedbetween an closed ribbon position and an opened ribbon position, whereinthe gripping portion of the ribbon cartridge is configured to be movedfrom an accessible position to an inaccessible position in response tothe ribbon cover moving from an opened ribbon position to a closedribbon position.